Neymar has defended his decision to take part in a poker tournament while Santos were playing in the Copa Sudamericana, insisting he was on an approved day off and urging critics to “mind your own business.”
The Santos forward came under fire after being seen competing in the Brazilian Series of Poker Winter edition in Sao Paulo while his club defeated Venezuelan side Universidad Central 4-1 in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana play-off.
The Brazilian star, however, said the criticism was misplaced as he had already completed a training session and had been given time off by the club.
“I trained in the morning, did not go to the match and then returned to training. I was resting. But they keep talking anyway,” Neymar said in a video posted on social media while working in the gym.
“I am getting ready to train. Am I allowed to train or are they going to keep criticising me for that too? Mind your own business.”
Neymar did not travel with the squad to Venezuela because Santos wanted him to continue an individual fitness programme after Brazil’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
Head coach Cuca explained that the decision had nothing to do with disciplinary reasons, stressing the club wanted the forward fully prepared for a demanding run of fixtures.
“He had a few days away after the World Cup and needed extra work,” Cuca said.
“We decided it was better for him to stay in Brazil, train properly and be ready because we have four matches in ten days. Bringing him on such a long trip would not have helped.”
Cuca added that several other players also remained in Brazil to continue their recovery and conditioning.
While Santos cruised to victory thanks to goals from Gabriel Bontempo, Gabriel Menino, Thaciano and Rony, Neymar’s appearance at the poker tournament became one of the biggest talking points.
Images of the 34 year old smiling at the event circulated widely across Brazilian media and social platforms, prompting criticism from supporters who questioned his commitment.
A day later Neymar dismissed the reaction with a brief social media message.
“Life is a joke. Do not take life so seriously.”
Despite the controversy, Neymar is expected to return to Santos’ starting line-up against Chapecoense in the Brazilian Championship on Saturday.
The forward has been following an individual programme since returning from the World Cup, where Brazil were eliminated by Norway in the round of 16 before Neymar announced his retirement from international football.
With his international career now over, Santos hope he can focus fully on helping the club climb the Serie A table and continue their Copa Sudamericana campaign.
Neymar is also well known for his passion for poker and has regularly competed in professional tournaments, including previous editions of the Brazilian Series of Poker and events in Las Vegas.
